The captain glanced at Sir Humphrey, who nodded, and the men took to their oars, while Lynton steered the heavy boat right up to the remains of a stone-encumbered wharf or pier that had been laboriously cut out of the solid rock. Here the boats were held, and, well armed, half their occupants sprang out to climb over the slippery stones, which had evidently only lately bean covered by the flood-water, whose mark could be plainly seen, reaching up some ten feet, or half-way to where there ran for hundreds of yards a more or less regular broad terrace cut down out of the rock, and from which the honeycombed perpendicular cliff rose, showing now that it was cut into steps, each step being a rough terrace just below a row of window-like openings.
It was all plain enough now: the Indians’ camp had been made right and left of the rugged steps leading up from the water. There the fires were still glowing, and about them and in rows where they could be dried by the sun lay hundreds upon hundreds of good-sized fish: the harvest the Indians had been taking from the river; while the state of some which were piled together beneath a projecting piece of rock suggested that the fishers must have been staying there for days.
“They are sure to come back for this fish,” said Brace.
“Very likely,” said Sir Humphrey. “Well, if they do, let them have it, and we’ll give them some present in return for what we have taken. Look here, captain: we must camp here for a few days to explore this place.”
“Very good, sir. We can pick out one or two of these caves, or rooms, or whatever they are, to live in. Your Dan would like one of ’em for a kitchen, Mr Briscoe.”
“Yes; he’s smelling about them now. I dessay he has chosen one already,” said the American. “Yes, I call this fine; we may come across some curiosities next. What do you say to beginning a regular explore, Brace?”
“I say: the sooner the better,” cried Brace.
Sir Humphrey nodded.
“We’ll divide into two parties, captain,” he said. “Let half prepare for making a stay; and I should like the others to bring ropes and a boat-hook or two to help our climb, for I daresay we shall need it before we get to the top of this cliff.”
“Very good, sir, and I don’t think you’ll find a soul to hurt you. I’d keep my eyes well opened though, for you may find wild beasts, and you’re sure to find snakes. Let’s see,” he continued, consulting a pocket compass. “Yes: we’re facing nearly due south. It will be a warm spot, and I should say that the old inhabitants are now represented by snakes, and poisonous ones too.”